What to Get?

[bigdog2003]

I currently have a Kenyan Sand Boa, and I am thinking about getting something else. I went to our local show today to look around and talk to breeders about different types of snakes before I get anything at the next show.

I want something a little more active than my Kenyan, but nothing crazy. Something that isn't to aggressive and that is fairly easy to care for.

Here are the types I am considering.

Ball Python
California King
Corn Snake
Western Hognose

Which would you recommend, and are there any others that may be good for me as a step up snake?

Thanks, I was offered some great deals today as the show was wrapping up, but I didn't want to rush into anything and buy something I wouldn't like.

[RobsCornField]

I'd say a corn or a hoggie. But that's just personal opinion. Cornsnakes come in so many different color varieties, that it's hard not to love them!

[Charis]

I'd also go with the corn or the Hognose. Or possibly a Rosy boa, they are very close in feel to the KSB but a little more active, try to hide less but aren't a great deal more active than the KSB.

[alessia55]

Ball pythons are just as "inactive" as your KSB. They sit in their hides all day. That being said, they are generally docile and tolerate handling.

If you want something more active, I'd recommend the California King snake. My cousin got one as her first snake, and he has been a really great snake to take care of and handle. Eats well, easy to care for, and tolerates handling. They also come in lots of nice patterns for a really good price.

[Gungirl]

I think all 4 that you listed are good choices. I have a corn and 2 Ball pythons as well as other kinds of snakes and I think that as long as you have a proper set up the care is very simple for both. You should look into set ups and use that to help you decide. If you are going to use a fish tank to keep it in I would stay away from a Ball python and lean towards a corn snake. Seeing as corn snakes don't require the Higher heat or humidity that Ball pythons do.

[alessia55]

I think all 4 that you listed are good choices. I have a corn and 2 Ball pythons as well as other kinds of snakes and I think that as long as you have a proper set up the care is very simple for both. You should look into set ups and use that to help you decide. If you are going to use a fish tank to keep it in I would stay away from a Ball python and lean towards a corn snake. Seeing as corn snakes don't require the Higher heat or humidity that Ball pythons do.
GREAT advice.

[StudentoReptile]

Cornsnake, western hognose, African house snake (CB), any kingsnake of the Lampropeltis getula complex (California, desert, Mexican black, speckled, eastern, Florida, etc)....pretty much any of those would be great.

[Wildside]

How 'bout a lizard?

[MoreliAddict]

The King snake and the Corn snake are probably the easiest to care for. They both eat well and have easy husbandry requirements.

The Ball Python is most docile. Hognose like to bluff, but never bite.

If you go with a Hognose, make sure it's already taking frozen/thawed pinky mice.

[Toronto1977]

I've got one of each and they're all super easy in terms of husbandry. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 4 options. Of the 4, the Kingsnake will usually have the strongest feeding response as they have bottomless pits for stomachs :)

[Kettennatter]

Hard to decide. I would ask the OP to prioritize each item in a ranked list:

A) Snake being active
B) Snake not too aggressive
C) Easy maintenance

I further assume that any larger snakes are missing from the list because of cost and maintenance concerns.

[GarterPython]

I would go for a Corn snake, Hognose or King Snake. They are all pretty easy to care for and they don't just sit around like a ball python. My corn snake is moving around his cage all the time. (day and night)

[bigdog2003]

Hard to decide. I would ask the OP to prioritize each item in a ranked list:

A) Snake being active
B) Snake not too aggressive
C) Easy maintenance

I further assume that any larger snakes are missing from the list because of cost and maintenance concerns.

I could handle a snake with a little aggression as long as it wasn't to crazy. Maintenance isn't that big of a concern. I want a snake that is active but that I can still handle without it going crazy.

I left our large snakes just because I don't have the room for something that gets larger than about 6 feet right now. Im going into my second year as a teacher, and I don't think an appartment is going to allow something huge. I want a larger snake down the line, it just doesn't fit into my life right now.

[bigdog2003]

How 'bout a lizard?

I checked out the lizards they had at the show, but I have no idea where to start with them. Any advice? That could be an option as well.

[Kettennatter]

I could handle a snake with a little aggression as long as it wasn't to crazy. Maintenance isn't that big of a concern. I want a snake that is active but that I can still handle without it going crazy.


In that regard, I would also recommend a king snake. Even though you probably wouldn't go wrong with a corn, either. Plenty of morphs and just fun to watch.

[MoreliAddict]

Also, by the way, I would definitely count on the king snake to be the most bitey. (just going from my own experience with the 4 listed)

[Charis]

I was just going to say something similar, seems like everyone I know with a Cali king says they try to eat them fairly often, though there are a few that don't.

[bigdog2003]

I have been bitten by snakes in the past, mostly when I have been relocating snakes that show up in places they would be killed.

[GarterPython]

If you are leaning towards lizards too then you could think about some type of gecko, mainly a leopard gecko or a Crested Gecko. You could aslo go with a Bearded Dragon for a lizard. As for the snake like I (kind of) said in my last post you could go for some type of colubrid.

[Kettennatter]

Also, by the way, I would definitely count on the king snake to be the most bitey. (just going from my own experience with the 4 listed)

Yes, by my own experience the King Snakes are the most snappy. I have one that a breeder let go after his wife deemed it to be too aggressive. Since he mainly breeds kings, I assume that mine is therefore fairly aggressive for the species.

So far it has it has tagged me twice, and both times I didn't pay attention. It takes pretty much a form of ritual to get him out of the enclosure. Once out of the enclosure he is fine, but he's really active, which can be fun. He also likes to crap on me.

For that I am rewarded with a snake that will actually come to me when he sees me, even outside his enclosure. No other snakes has made me laugh quite as much.

I've held other kings, and they were far more docile.

[Wildside]

I checked out the lizards they had at the show, but I have no idea where to start with them. Any advice? That could be an option as well.

It really depends on what your interests are and the time/funding you have available. Lizard husbandry has a vastly wider spectrum than snake husbandry. Some require a tremendous amount of care while others are relatively simple given the proper environment. Some are wonderful display animals but stress easily if handled while others almost seem to human interaction.